Posture: Anjanaya-asana – The Salutation Pose
Translation: The Sanskrit word anjaneya means salutation or praise from
the root anj which means to honor, to celebrate, to anoint.
Pronunciation: Ahn-jah-nay-ah-sa-na
Anjanaya-asana – The Salutation Pose
1. Sit comfortably in the vajra-asana (thunderbolt pose).
2. Kneel up on your knees until your back, buttocks and thighs are aligned.
3. Extend your left foot foward bending your left knee at about a 90 degree angle.
4. Place the palms of your hands together at the heart in the anjali-mudra.
5. Raise your arms stright up keeping the palms together while bending the head backward and looking up.
6. Slowly bend backward stretching the arms backward and straightening out the right leg. Hold this position for as long as comfortable while breathing gently through the
nostrils.
7. Come back to the vajara-asana (thunderbolt pose) then reverse the posture by
alternating legs.
Comments:
The anjaneya-asana combines several postures and mudras (gestures) in a fluid, evolving flow that
combines motion, stretching and holds. It delivers great benefits for the back, arms, chest, legs and hips.
Regular practice will strengthen concentration and improve balance.
Perform this posture with a sense of reverence and praise. Take a moment to reside in silence and peace
as your hands are held at the heart in the gesture (mudra) of salutation (anjali-mudra). Keep the
intention of praise in mind as you extend your arms skyward. Feel your entire body-mind-heart extending
outward in recognition of the sacredness of life.
Duration/Repetitions:
Repeat twice on each side.
Health Benefits of Anjanaya Asana
The Anjanaya Asana is a combination or merges of many poses and mudras (gestures) in a flowing manner, that Merges motion, wide-spreading or stretching and holds. Anjanaya Asana is very beneficial in term of backbone, arms, thorax, legs and pelvic girdle or hip.
Daily exercise of Anjanaya Asana would build up your concentration power to a great extent and improve your body balance. Keeping in mind a sense of worship and praise, Anjanaya Asana should be performed. Relax your body and take your time to dwell in silence and calm, when your hands are held at the Mudra or the gesture of salutation (anjali-mudra). keep the feeling of admire in mind as you stretch your arms in skyward direction. Get the feeling of body-mind-heart all extending in appreciation of the holiness of life. Anjanaya Asana should be performed at least twice a day for both the leg for better result.
